Тень над Иннсмутом

           ThereadinesswithwhichIfellintoaplanofactionprovesthatImusthavebeensubconsciouslyfearingsomemenaceandconsideringpossibleavenuesofescapeforhours.FromthefirstIfeltthattheunseenfumblermeantadangernottobemetordealtwith,butonlytobefledfromasprecipitatelyaspossible.TheonethingtodowastogetoutofthathotelaliveasquicklyasIcould,andthroughsomechannelotherthanthefrontstairsandlobby.

           Risingsoftlyandthrowingmyflashlightontheswitch,Isoughttolightthebulbovermybedinordertochooseandpocketsomebelongingsforaswift,valiselessflight.Nothing,however,happened;andIsawthatthepowerhadbeencutoff.Clearly,somecryptic,evilmovementwasafootonalargescale—justwhat,Icouldnotsay.AsIstoodponderingwithmyhandonthenowuselessswitchIheardamuffledcreakingonthefloorbelow,andthoughtIcouldbarelydistinguishvoicesinconversation.AmomentlaterIfeltlesssurethatthedeepersoundswerevoices,sincetheapparenthoarsebarkingsandloose-syllabledcroakingsboresolittleresemblancetorecognizedhumanspeech.ThenIthoughtwithrenewedforceofwhatthefactoryinspectorhadheardinthenightinthismoulderingandpestilentialbuilding.

           Havingfilledmypocketswiththeflashlight’said,Iputonmyhatandtiptoedtothewindowstoconsiderchancesofdescent.